Relatives of hostages briefly block traffic on Ayalon Highway to demand a deal

Relatives of freed hostages briefly block southbound traffic on Tel Aviv’s Ayalon Highway, calling for a deal to release the remaining captives held by Hamas in Gaza and opposing Israel’s planned conquest of Gaza City.

Demonstrators with the Women’s Protest group hold a pink-and-purple banner reading, “Conquering Gaza = Sacrificing the hostages and soldiers.” They chant, “Their time is running out, a deal is on the table,” and “Enough killing, enough bereavement, hostages above all,” according to Walla, a Hebrew outlet.

Walla reports that the protesters include relatives of freed hostages Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehoud, as well as the son of Avner and Maya Goren, who were murdered by Hamas terrorists.

They are subsequently cleared out by police and the highway is reopened.

מפגינים למען החזרת החטופים חוסמים את איילון דרום pic.twitter.com/dsiUnUmIC1

— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) August 19, 2025

The action comes two days after demonstrators blocked roads throughout the country as part of a nationwide strike pushing for a ceasefire deal to free the 50 hostages still in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

Mediators between Israel and Hamas are working to reach a ceasefire between the sides. Hamas has accepted a proposed 60-day truce, and Israel has confirmed receiving Hamas’s response but has said it wants a comprehensive agreement for the war’s end.

Families of hostages have called for another strike this coming Sunday.